Madeleine McCann's parents left furious after court gags them from giving evidence

SILENCED: McCanns gagged from giving evidence against the man who accused them of covering up daughter Madeleine’s death [AP]

They wanted to tell a Lisbon libel trial how ex-detective Goncalo Amaral’s claims left them devastated.

But Portuguese Judge Maria de Melo e Castro ruled neither they nor Amaral could give evidence. The doctors, both 45, from Rothley, Leics, are suing Amaral, 56, for £1million over his book The Truth Of The Lie and a television documentary.

MISSING: The McCann's wanted to tell a Lisbon libel trial how Goncalo Amaral’s claims about Madeleine left them devastated [PA]

“It is yet another blow. They will not be going to court. There is no point now. It would simply turn into a media circus”

A close source

Amaral, who led the investigation into three-year-old Madeleine’s disappearance in May 2007, claimed she died in the family’s Praia da Luz holiday apartment and accused the McCanns of faking her abduction. The couple claim Amaral added to their heartache and damaged the search.

Amaral denies defamation and claims everything in the book is based on police and court files, which were made public.

Their lawyer Isabel Duarte said: “Obviously Gerry and Kate were disappointed... We believe they have the right to give evidence in the case.’’

On Tuesday lawyers for the McCanns, Amaral, publishers and the documentary producers will give their closing statements in the five-month long case.

Last night a source close to the couple said: “They are very disappointed by the judge’s ruling. It is yet another blow. They will not be going to court. There is no point now. It would simply turn into a media circus.”